Apparatus for controlling the movement of a dobby jack lever in accordance with a pattern card



Filed April 23, 1968 March 17, 1970 w. KLEINER 3,500,873

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF'A DOBBY JACK LEVER IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PATTERN CARD 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 w. KLE'INER March 17, 1970 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF A DOBBY JACK LEVER IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PATTERN CARD 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23, 1968 March 17, 1970 w. KLElNER 3,500,873 FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF A DOBBY JACK VER IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PATTERN CARD APPARATUS LE Filed April 23. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 AM mm Q 5S March 17, 1970 w. KLEINER 3,500,873

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF A DOBBY JACK LEVER IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PATTERN CARD Filed April 23, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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March 17, 1970 w, KLEINER 3,500,873

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF A DOBBY JACK LEVER IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PATTERN CARD Filed April 23, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 67 Int. Cl. D03c l/b6, /02; D03d 49/00 US. Cl. 139-71 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for control of dobbies in which control needles are projected through perforations of the pattern card. The projected needles actuate the control of the' loom healds and are retracted after execution of the control function. The needles are housed in the pattern card driving cylinder from which they are radially actuated.

This invention relates generally to looms and more particularly to dobbies for effecting shedding in looms in accordance with a predetermined pattern which is indicated by a pattern card.

There is a distinction between pattern cards which transmit a movement direct to a power-transmitting member for example by means of wooden pegs, cams, iron rollers or the like, and pattern cards, e.g. perforated cards made of paper, cardboard or the like, from which the controlling movement is read off by means of needles, electrical contacts or the like. Both types of cards are struck or perforated in advance and can be used and run through the dobby virtually as often as desired for the production of the same pattern.

The pattern cards provided with cams and the like, which exert a direct control and force, must be constructed correspondingly strongly, since they are exposed to great stress and should not become worn if a constantly reliable control is to be obtained. Their strong and heavy construction has the disadvantage that they require a great deal of space, all the more since the control members for consecutive picks must be separated from each other by at least the width of the cam, needle or roller. Pattern cards of this type are also unsuitable for large weaving patterns due to their weight and space requirements, however they have the advantage that their drive can be achieved continuously.

On the other hand, indefinitely long patterns can be controlled by means of perforated cards, since on the one hand the holes of adjacent picks are arranged very close and even overlap each other, and the paper or cardboard can easily be folded into a small space. The disadvantage consists in that no movement requiring power can be started, i.e. direct control is not achieved, but additional passive means must be provided, which after their engagement are driven and exert force. By the reading of the pattern card by means of special members there results only small wear and tear of the pattern card. The reading members thus control power-operated means, which then in dobbies, e.g. of Hattersley construction, with draw-hooks attached to baulks and draw-knives which swing to and fro, control the position of the draw-hooks in relation to the draw-knives. The same thing occurs with dobbies of other construction, in which, for example, the movement of the shafts according to the pattern is brought about by the cooperation of pairs of hooks. The drive of these pattern cards can be continuous, however, it can 3,500,873 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 also be discontinuous according to preference, i.e. pick by pick or every other pick.

An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement in which perforated pattern cards are used, the control of the movement means of the shafts occurring as far as possible directly from the pattern card.

This is obtained with the apparatus according to the invention, which is distinguished in that before reaching its control position the pattern card is furnished with needles projecting beyond the pattern card, which needles as far as possible directly or indirectly take over the control of the movement means of the shaft, and that after the control of the movement means the needles are once more removed from the pattern cards.

For carrying out this operation there serves the control arrangement according to the invention in a dob-by with a pattern card with perforations according to the pattern, which is guided on a driving cylinder through an operating zone, and means to be controlled by the pattern card, which serve for bringing about the movement of the shafts, which is characterized in that in front of or in the driving cylinder there is arranged a supply container with needles, with which the pattern card is furnished, and the needles are held by means of the driving cylinder, and that means are arranged to convey the needles back into the supply container after passing through the control path.

Various embodiments of the object of the invention are illustrated in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of control and movement mechanism of a dobby of the Hattersley type;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a newer control and movement mechanism of a dobb with a driving cylinder, which furnishes the perforated pattern card with needles;

FIG. 3 is a modification of the driving cylinder of the pattern card;

FIG. 4 is a further modification of the driving cylinder of the pattern card on a larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a section view of three divisions of the shaft on the radius V and FIG. 6 is the same section on the radius VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a section view of a driving cylinder of the perforated pattern card, which before reaching the cylinder is furnished with needles; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section view of a similar arrangement for furnishing the perforations of the pattern card.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, a perforated pattern card 1 is driven by a driving cylinder 2, the needles 3, which will subsequently be described in greater detail, by striking against the sliding surface 4 of the double lever 5. moving the latter in the direction of arrow A against the force of the spring 7 about a stationary pivot point 6. The pushing needles 9a, 9b which are each located on a double lever 5 and are guided in guides 10a, 10b serve to control draw-hooks 8a, 8b.

In FIG. 1 the upper draw-hook 8b is raised, since no needle of the cylinder 2 has moved the double lever 5b, and the draw-hook can not be entrained by the drawknife 11b which swings to and fro on its outward movement. In the case of the lower draw-hook 8a, the pushing needle 9a is lowered until its head is supported on the guide 10a, i.e. the needle 3 has moved the double lever 5a in the direction of arrow A. The engaging surface of the draw-hook 8a lies in front of the draw-knife 11a, so that the hook 8a and thus in a known way according to the Hattersley system the baulk 12, the jack lever 13 and by means of the pulling device 14 of the shaft (not shown) are driven. 15 is the stationary pivot point for the jack lever 13, and 16 are the abutment rails for the baulk 12.

FIG. 2 shows another type of drive for the' movement of the shaft. In the center of the baulk 12 is attached a jack lever 13, from which the pulling device 14 leads to the shaft. Due to the swinging movement of the pusher rails 17 according to arrow B, the attachment hooks 18c and 18d fixed on the ends of the baulk, which slide in the rails 19, are alternately extended. Now if the corresponding arrester hooks 20c, 20d is in the engagement position (upper hook 200) or in the non-engagement position (lower hook 20d) then the attachment hook 18c or 18d remains extended or it returns with the pusher rail 17 and the baulk 12.

For the purpose of controlling the arrester hooks 20c and 20d, the segment 21 is mounted at the stationary pivot point 22, so that it swings to and fro according to arrow C, and it has two guideways 23c and 23d each with a slide block 250 or 25d which has an arm 24c or 24d. The position of the slide block 250 or 25d is controlled by the needle 3' which is mounted in the driving cylinder 2', and projects through a perforation 37 of the pattern card 1, and on brushing past in the direction of arrow B it rocks the double lever 50 or d. Thus the lever is moved against the force of the spring 7 and by means of the arm 90 or 9d strikes the slide block 25c or 25d in the position-corresponding to the position of the upper slide block 25c-{ for driving the intermediate lever 26c or 26d. Arrester hooks 200 or 20d and intermediate levers 26c or 26d cooperate in the following way: They are both mounted to rotate about the same stationary pivot point 27c, 27d. In the stationary position the arrester hooks 20c, 20d lie under the action of tension springs 28c, 28d against their stops 29c, 29d, whereas the compression springs 30c, 30d keep the angle of swing between the arrester hook and the intermediate lever at a maximum, i.e. the arrester hook 20c, 20d bears against the offset edge 31c, 31d of the intermediate lever 26c, 26d. If, due to the movement of the slide block 25c, 25d with its arm 24c, 24d, there occurs a movement of the intermediate lever 26c, 26d, then the edge 31c, 31d falls back and, since the compression spring 30c, 30d is more powerful than the tension spring 28c, 28d, the arrester hook 20c, 20d moves with it. The actual hook part comes to lie in the path of movement of the attachment hook 18c, 18d, where it falls back for a short time for being hooked.

In FIGS. 2-6 three principal types of construction of driving cylinders 2 provided with needles 3 can be seen. FIGS. 7 and 8 show two arrangements in which a device is located in front of the driving cylinder, which serves for furnishing the perforations of the pattern card with needles and the removal of these needles behind the driving cylinder. All these constructions according to FIGS. 2-8 are suitable as illustrated, or in combination, for the direct and power-operated control of a dobby.

According to FIG. 2, the cylinder 2 has an annular space 32, in which are located the heads 33 of the needles 3' lying in the radial bores of the cylinder. The cross sectional area F1 of the heads 33' is greater than the area of cross sectional area F2 of the needle stems. The compressed air pipe 34 opens into the annular space which is sealed off all around, so that in it there is a constant excess pressure P. Since F1 F2 and in addition there is an excess pressure in the annular space, a constant force acts on the needle 3, which can push the latter radially outwards, provided that in front of the corresponding bore of the cylinder there is a perforation of the pattern card. If there is no perforation the needle is retained without any damage to the pattern card, since the motive power of the needle is very small.

As shown in FIG. 3, in place of the compressed air there can be arranged behind every needle 3" in a hollow space 32 of the driving cylinder 2" a spring 35, which tends to push the needle outwards.

The pushing out of the needles can also be effected mag I netically. FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of this type, wherein on both sides of the control region D outside the driving cylinder 2" for 'the perforated'pattern 'card'l there is arranged either a permanent or electromagnet 36. When the needles pass the magnet 36, the needles 3'" are magnetically drawn out, provided that there are perforations 37 in the pattern card opposite the cylinder bores. Since on both sides of the control region i.e. where control of the double lever 5 and also the draw-hook or arrester hook can take place there is arranged a magnet, the driving cylinder can rotate in both directions. Thus the control arrangement functions in a forwards direction as well as in a backwards one. There may also be magnets arranged inside the cylinder, Where they can carry out a pushing action or the cylinder barrel is divided directly into individual coils which surround the needles which are excited after the control.

The movement of the needles can be achieved in the most simple manner by their own weight, the control lever preferably being located underneath the driving cylinder.

In particular when the needles exert a thrust with their tips, as in FIGS. 1 and 4, instead of a turning moment, as in FIG. 2, they must be prevented from slipping back into the cylinder in the range of control. This is achieved for example as is shown in FIGS. 4-6. The needle 3" has a head 33" at their inner end, which has an approximately elliptical shape. In the control region and reaching somewhat beyond the latter on both sides is an annular space 32' of the cylinder, in which the needle heads are arranged and two concentric guide grooves 38, which do not turn with the cylinder and are as wide as the needle head. The width of the entire angular space corresponds to the length of the needles extending beyond the cylinder. After the needles 3" have taken up their control position, after having passed the magnets 36, the needle heads 33" reach one of the guide grooves on further rotation of the cylinder 2. Now even when the magnetic force is no longer effective, the needle remains in its controlled position, until the head has slid out of the guide grooves 38.

In order that on the approach and removal of the pattern card 1 on the driving cylinder, no damage of the pattern card can occur due to the thrusting needles there is either provided in the center of the cylinder a magnet, or as shown in FIG. 4, a guide plate 39, which retains the needles when the pattern card is not passing over the cylinder.

In the example according to FIG. 7, the perforated pattern card 1 rolls on the driving cylinder 2 in the direction of arrow F. Shortly before the approaching run of the pattern card reaches this cylinder, there is arranged a feeding device 40, for the needles 3 from which as the pattern card passes the control perforations in it are furnished with needles 3 due to the weight of the needles. The head 42 of the needle serves as a support and reaches a recess 41, so that the needle, on sliding past in the control region is prevented from lateral tilting and being pushed back. After the release of the pattern card 1 from the driving cylinder 2 the needles 3 fall due to their own weight into the funnel 43 of the feeding device, where they are stacked in a desired position in a known way.

FIG. 8 shows a similar arrangement. F is the direction of rotation of the driving cylinder 2". Above the pattern card 1 and before the latter reaches the driving cylinder, there is located a feeding device 44, from which the perforations of the pattern card are furnished with needles 3". The sliding surface 45 prevents the needles from falling out before they are sunk in the bores 46 of the driving cylinder. The needles 3 deposited in such a way through the control region D are coupled to an exertion of force in the driving cylinder 2 and later fall into the funnel 47, from which they are supplied to the feeding device 44.

In the case where the driving cylinder according to FIG. 7 has also radial blind bores in its recesses, like the cylinder in FIG. 8, the needles can be formed symmetrical to the head 42, so that during the control with the needle one part of the needle projects beyond the pattern card and the other part remains in the driving cylinder.

For the protection of the needles placed in the driving cylinder the cylinder can have a magnetic core, which retains the needles over the desired region, or there can be arranged a coil which works magnetically, around each bore provided to receive a needle.

A further possibility for holding and protecting the needles in the bores of the driving cylinder can consist in that the needles have a rear contact, in which a safety catch of the bore engages.

What I claim and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for controlling the movement of a dobby jack lever comprising: a pivotally mounted jack lever; a rotatably mounted driving cylinder having a hollow center portion; a plurality of radial bores extending through the outer periphery of said driving cylinder and communicating with said hollow center portion; a supply of control needles positioned within said hollow center portion to project through said radial bores; a pattern card carried by said driving cylinder through an operating zone; said pattern card having perforations therein according to a predetermined pattern, said perforations sized to receive therethrough end portions of said control needles; magnetic means disposed in said operating zone for displacing said control needles through both said radial bores and said pattern card perforations when said radial bores and said pattern card perforations are aligned; means for limiting the displacement of said control needles; means for maintaining said control needles in their displaced position during their movement through said operating zone; and means responsive to the displacement of said control needles for imparting movement to said jack lever in accordance with said predetermined pattern.

2. An apparatus for controlling the movement of a dobby jack lever comprising: a pivotally mounted jack lever; a rotatably mounted driving cylinder having a hollow center portion; a plurality of radial bores extending through the outer periphery of said driving cylinder and communicating with said hollow center portion; a supply of control needles positioned within said hollow center portion to project through said radial bores; a pattern card carried by said driving cylinder-through an operating zone; said pattern card having perforations therein according to a predetermined pattern, said perforations sized to receive therethrough end portions of said control needles; means disposed in said operating zone for supplying during use of the apparatus pressurized fluid to said hollow center portion to displace said control needles through both said radial bores and said pattern card perforations when said radial bores and said pattern card perforations are aligned; means including said last-mentioned means for maintaining said control needles in their displaced position during their movement through said operating zone; and means responsive to the displacement of said control needles for imparting movement to said jack lever in accordance with said predetermined pattern.

3. An apparatus for controlling the movement of a dobby jack lever comprising: a pivotally mounted jack lever; a rotatably mounted driving cylinder having a hollow center portion; a plurality of radial bores extending through the outer periphery of said driving cylinder and communicating with said hollow center portion; a supply of control needles positioned within said hollow center portion to project through said radial bores, each of said needles having an enlarged head portion at one end; a pattern card carried by said driving cylinder through an operating zone; said pattern card having perforations therein according to a predetermined pattern, said perforations sized to receive therethrough end portions of said control needles; means disposed in said operating zone for displacing said control needles through both said radial bores and said pattern card perforations when said radial bores and said pattern card perforations are aligned; means for maintaining said control needles in their displaced positions during their movement through said operating zone, including means defining a guide groove disposed within said hollow center portion and stationary relative to rotational movement of said driving cylinder, said guide groove dimensioned to slidably receive therein the enlarged head portions of said control needles; and means responsive to the displacement of said control needles for imparting movement to said jack lever in accordance with said predetermined pattern.

4. An apparatus for controlling the movement of a dobby jack lever comprising: a pivotally mounted jack lever; a rotatably mounted driving cylinder having a plu rality of radially extending blind bores positioned around the periphery thereof; a supply of control needles, each of said needles having an enlarged head portion at one end; a pattern card carried by said driving cylinder through an operating zone; said pattern card having perforations therein according to a predetermined pattern, said perforations sized to receive therethrough end portions of said control needles; supply means disposed upstream from said operating zone and positioned above the path of travel of said perforated pattern card for supplying by gravity flow said control needles into said pattern card perforations; maintaining means including said driving cylinder and the enlarged needle head portions for maintaining said control needles in said pattern card perforations during their movement through said operating zone; means responsive to said control needles during their movement through said operating zone for imparting movement to said jack lever in accordance with said predetermined pattern; a funnel disposed downstream from said operating zone and positioned beneath said perforated pattern card for receiving said control needles after their passage through said operating zone; and guide means for arranging and guiding said control needles from said funnel to said supply means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4; wherein said driving cylinder is magnetic and generates a magnetic field in said blind bores; and said control needles are comprised of ferromagnetic material; whereby said control needles are magnetically attracted into said blind bores whenever said blind bores are aligned with said pat tern card perforations.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5; further including means for interrupting said magnetic field to simplify removal of said control needles.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6; wherein said control needles each have a rear contact; and wherein a safety catch is provided in each of said blind bores engageable with said rear contact.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7; wherein said means responsive to said control needles during their movement through said operating zone includes a shaft baulk pivotally connected to said jack lever, a pair attachment hooks connected to said shaft baulk, a pair of arrester hooks pivotally mounted for engagement and disengagement with said pair of attachment hooks, a pivotally mounted segment positioned adjacent said pair of arrester hooks and having a pair of guideways therein, a pair of slide blocks each slidably positioned in one of said pair of guideways, and means for controlling the position of each of slide blocks in accordance with the position of said control needles during their movement through said operating zone.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8; wherein said last-mentioned means includes a pair of pivotally mounted double levers; spring means independently biasing each of said double levers in a given direction; each double lever having a first arm connected to one of said slide blocks, and a second arm engageable with said control needles for pivoting said double lever in a direction oppo- 7 9 8 site to said given direction against the biasing force of FOREIGN PATENTS sald SPImg means- 382,416 10/1923 Germany;

References Cited N Y A N UNITED S A PATENTS HE R S. J UDO Primary Exammer 2,712,327 7/1955 Davies et a1. 139-71 US. Cl. X.R. 2,900,837 8/1959 Brandt 139-333 139-317, 333 

